NBC/WSJ Poll: Romney 21%, Trump 17%, Huckabee 17%

Similar to the PPP poll of New Hampshire a few days ago, Donald Trump has now risen to 2nd place in a tie with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll.

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Keep in mind this is a national poll of likely Republican primary voters. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney still leads the pack, however, Trump has not entered the race but is easily beating out Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin among others.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears to be the early front-runner in the largely unformed race for the Republican nomination for president, but real estate magnate Donald Trump may be a surprise contender, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

Among Republican primary voters, Mr. Romney captured the support of 21% in a broad, nine-candidate field. Mr. Trump was tied for second with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, with 17%. House Speaker Newt Gingrich got 11%, just ahead of former Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s 10%. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, considered a strong contender by political handicappers, remains largely unknown, with just 6% support. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota had 5%, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum 3%, and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour with just 1%.

Mr. Trump “may be a punch line but when he talks about the way to solve our problems, he makes a lot of sense to the average guy out there,” said Todd Mauney, a conservative Republican in Weatherford, Texas. “I don’t know if people can get over him being the butt of every joke but for me, he can be serious when it’s time to make real decisions.“

Clearly Romney still has the advantage. He doesn’t have as much baggage as Trump but he does have similar business credentials.

Nate Ashworth is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Election Central. He's been blogging elections and politics for almost a decade. He started covering the 2008 Presidential Election which turned into a full-time political blog in 2012 and 2016.